Press



FQLYIJYNEN Feb. 27, 1951 PRESS Filed March 10, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 F. LYIJYNEN Feb. 27, `1951 PRESS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 10, 1949 [IDDUD DUUUUIJEIDUUD INVENTOR.

y m W j! J F. LYIJYNEN Feb. 27, 1951 PRESS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 10, 1949 5MM I Q l y@ e HW amg/@MM Feb. 27, 1951 F. LYIJYNEN 2,543,582

IRESS Filed March 10, 1949 '4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR. )7296/ y/gne,

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Patented Feb. 27, 195

UNITED srr e Orsi-CE1 PRESS poration ofltlicliigan Application March 10, 1949, Serial No.` $0,750.' 18 Claims. (Cl. 154-1) The present invention relates to the fabrication of articles formed from laminations of sli-eet material pressed and bonded together, including panels useful for trimming the interiors oi automobile-o1' other vehicle-bodies. The laminatons of such panels are preferably bonded together between the heated platens of a multiple platen" press-by means ofv ay thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic material.- The invention in particular relates toan improved method and apparatus for fabricatingsucharticles whereby the handling of the-materials and the bonding or pressing cycleare materially expedited.

In the fabrication of vehicle trim panels, it is customary to bond the laminations for a number of panels simultaneously` between the platens oi a multipleplaten type press.- In -suchiustances a tier of vertically spaced-platens is usuallyemployed withintheI press 1 and these platens are simultaneously pressed4 togetherv with an` unbonded set of laminations fora panel arranged. in superimposed relationbetweeneach pair l` adjacent. platens. During an operating cycle of the pressa panel is thus produced Within a given area between each pair of adjacent vertically spaced platens.

An example of a type ofIpanel for which the present` inventionisparticularly suited is the laminated interior trimpanel for anautomobile door; Such a panel may compri-se a number of laminations. including for example a rigid backing or foundation layer,z a layer of an incompletely reacted thermosetting bonding resin preferably applied in a fibrous matrix of cloth or paper, a suitable padding or'cushioning layer, and an exterior nish layer `or cloth or plastic material, the layers being. superimposed one above the other in the order named.

Itis frequently desirable to compact and bond. the exterior and underlying layers of the panel toeach other and to the rigid foundation along preselected groovesxor depressed regions by the selective application of pressure and heat to the panels in accordancewith a desired ornamental pattern. This is accomplished in a preferred application of thefpresent invention by placing the laminated but unbonded panel layers on a pattern forming die with the exterior or linish panel layer confronting the die. The face ofthe die adjacent the exterior nish layer of the panel is raised or upset at predetermined locations or along selectedrllnes in accordance with the desired ornamental.V pattern to. be impressed into the panel. The unbonded panel laminations and diearezthenpressed'rmly together between a parfof heatedlplatenswhich maintainthe ternp erature and `pressure reduired` duri-ng the l bond-Y ing operation -to-set cir-completely react the bond ing resin between thepanel' layers.

Upon applieationof'the hea-t and'pressure be-- tween the-platens; the' bonding resin isfused andv caused to permeate the lvai-ionspanel layers, par-- ticularly attheregions ofopti-mum pressure.. ex-

erted by the raised onupsetportions-oi thepat tern forming dieV whereat tliepanel layers are bonded togetherl atar-strong; permanent seam. The` portions of" thepanelf face and underlying padding at'lthe seamsareobviously permanentlyembossed! orv impressed'- in` accordance with the desired ornamental patternv of/the die, .whereas the A portions-ofi the padding'.betweenn the regions: of optimum` pressureexerted byM the raised die portions remain :uncompressed to.. provide. anupbolstered o'r cushioned reflect between the seams.`

Prior tothe present invention,..it.has beencus tomaryA for. an operator standing l infront ofV the press to load and unload the platens This4 procedurezhasfnottonly been slow'` and costly, but it subjects' theoperator to. the. exhaustive heat of the platensand: rendersi: his job unduly fatiguing. disagreeable: and' dangerous'y to his. health.. As'. a;consequence;.frequent reliefsl 01': rest; perods'.- for: the: operator. lare required and', labor turnovenonfthe jobsx high.: In many, types of presszoperations;a;.high.degree of. skill and on the job training is requiredof theoperator, par ticularlyiv Wheretheetimingof various portions of the molding or..V bonding cyclemust be carefully; controlled in. accordance: with.. slight .variations4 inthe platenstemperaturesorotherzfactors. Thus frequent ,trainingor brealringinf` new personnel iscostly, resulting. inbothfreduced production- An importantbbject off the: present invention.

is to reduce thercostaof manufaoturinglaminated articles, such as trim panelsfforf. example, by,in

creasing the output of thepress'and'press operator, while at the-.samez time-.reducing thestrain,

discomfort-and, fatigueo-f the. opera-tor.. and v the occupational .danger to hiss-health;

Another: object of theepresent'zinvention is -to provide improved loading means for a panel bond. ing press wherebyv theopanel laminationsrto' be bonded togetherrmay'f ez-'fedftothe pressand'un.-

loaded. therefrom l.at .locations.- vremoved 'from fthe.-

Furthermore,

direct heat of the platens and the fumes of the bonding operation.

Another object is to provide an improved panel feeding mechanism which is particularly but not exclusively adapted to feed unbonded panel laminations between the platens of a press, such as a multiple platen type` press for. example, and to withdraw the bonded panels from the press, and which is provided with alternately operative feeding mechanisms whereby unloading and reloading of either mechanism is permitted while the other mechanism is employed with the press in a bonding operation, thereby materially reducing the inoperative time of the press between bonding operations.

Other objects are to provide feeding or loading mechanisms of the foregoing character which carry a number of panel forming dies supported at proper intervals to permit their insertion between the platens of a-multiple platen press, each die being adapted to support a panel loaded thereon for fabrication in the press and being also adapted to be loaded or unloaded exteriorly of the press; and to provide such mechanisms wherein the dies are mounted for movement with the platens when the latter are pressed together during a bonding operation.

Another and more specific object is to provide for a multiple platen press a feeding or loading mechanism having paired sets or tiers of panel forming dies suitably mounted and spaced so that each die with a panel supported thereon may be moved by swinging movements between loading and unloading positions exterior to the press and a pressing position between a corresponding pair of spaced platens within theA press, the axes of swinging movement of the two sets of dies being spaced to permit alternate use of each set in a pressing operation while the other set is being loaded or unloaded.

Still other objects are to provide such a feeding or loading mechanism wherein each set of dies may be loaded or unloaded exteriorly of the press and wherein a limited pivotal movement of each die independently of the others is permitted to facilitate loading and unloading thereof; and to provide improved means for selectively swinging either set of dies as a unit toward or away from the platens of the press.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a feeding or loading mechanism wherein each panel forming die i supported in turn by an individual swinging arm mounted for axial and pivotal movement on a vertical axis and adapted to support its die for horizontal swinging movement into and-out of the press and also adapted to serve asa movement limiting or locating stop whereby, upon the limit of movement of the swinging arm toward .the press, the supported die will be properly located within the press at the pressing position.

Other objects are to provide an improved mounting and supporting means for guiding the swinging arms accurately to their proper pressing positions between the platens, or to their loading Iand unloading positions exterior to the press; and to provide simple and improved supporting means of the foregoing character which also readily permit movement of the arms with the platens during a pressing operation, as for example axially of their axes of swinging movement.

Other objects are to provide a feeding or loading mechanism of the foregoing character which is particularly adapted to be used with existing hydraulically actuated presses and which may be readily powered from the same hydraulic pressure generator employed originally for the press alone, without interfering with the operation of the press or requiring supplemental pressure generating means; and to provide such a hydraulically actuated feeding or loading mechanism which is adapted for actuation while the platens of the press are released from pressure between pressing operations.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

The above and other objects are accomplished in a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprising a multiple platen press having a set'of vertically movable platens spaced one above another in a tier and mounted for vertical compressional movement between the upper and lower jaws of the press, whereby a plurality of panels interposed between the platens may be formed simultaneously, On each of a pair of vertical shafts suitably supported adjacent opposite ends of the press are a plurality or set of swinging die carrying arms, vertically spaced one above the other in accordance with the vertical spacing of the platens of the press and mounted for pivotal and axial movement on the shaft.

Each arm of each set carries an individual panel forming die which is adapted to receive and support the weight of a set of panel laminations or other material loaded thereon to be molded or formed thereby. Each arm is also mounted to swing horizontally toward the press and is spaced relative to a corresponding pair of platens of the press so as to carry its die and a panel thereon into the press between the said pair of corresponding platens, whereupon a pressing operation may be performed on the panel.

In the pressing operation, the vertically movable platens are forced together by hydraulic actuation of the press jaws, whereupon the vertically movable die supporting arms with the dies and the panels carried thereby move axiallyof their pivotal mountings in accordance with the vertical movement of the platens. -Upon completion of the pressing operation, the pressure on the platens is released. The latter then return to their initial spaced positions as prior to the pressing operation. Thereafter the die supporting arms and dies thereon are swung from between the platens to unloading and reloading positions whereat the consolidated or bonded panels are removed from the dies and replaced by unbonded panels to permit a repetition of the above outlined cycle.

By the above mechanism, the two sets of swinging and vertically removable die supporting arms are advantageously employed alternately with each other between the platens during successive pressing operations. Thus while one set of arms is employed between the platens during a pressing operation, the other set of arms is loaded for the succeeding pressing operation. Accordingly the press is maintained essentially continuously operative with a resulting material increase in productivity.

In order to expedite the loading and unloading operations permitted by the present invention, suitable power operated means are preferably employed to swing the die supporting arms of each set as a unit to and from the pressing position within the press andthe loading .and unloading positions exterior to .the press. Although it. will be apparent that various mechanical power .units may be. employed for .selectively .operating the swinging movement of .the arms, hydraulically actuated means are particularly .convenient with hydraulic presses .customarily employed in panel forming and bonding operations. In such in? stances the present invention Vmay be readily adapted by means of a reducing valve for use with existing hydraulic press equipment lby suitably connecting the hydraulic circuit. or system for the swinging arms with the existing hydraulic pres-.1 sure generator required to operate the press. No supplemental hydraulic pumping .unit is required -since the swinging' arms .are actuated to and from the.. pressing :position only when theY platens are not under pressure .and when the hydraulic pres.- sure generator is not in immediate use with .the

press.

The mounting for each .swinging arm also per.- mits a limited amount of pivotal movement of the arm at .the loading and unloading. positions independently of the other arms. This movement may .be manually effected if desired, so. that when a panel is loaded on the .die carried by the uppermost arm, or unloaded therefrom as the case may be, the uppermost arm and die may be pivoted by thev operator sufciently to expose the .underlying` or second .die ycarrying arm in the set. Thus each die carrying arm may be loaded or unloaded as the .case maybe and similarly pivoted to .expose` the successive underlying arm for loading or unloading thereof.

The panel forming die .carried by each swing-- ing arm preferably projects from the latter to permit the die and the laminations of a panel loaded thereon to .be properly interposed between a pair of adjacent plate-ns at the pressing position, whereat the .arm is in abutting .engagement with one of the platens. Thus the arm serves as a movement limiting or positioning stop which accurately locates the die with respect to the platens at the pressing position as the arm swings to the limit of its movement toward the platens.

Each swinging arm is guided to and from the pressing position 'be-tween its respective pair of platens by a system of horizontal guide rails including iixed guide rails supported exteriorly of the press and .cooperating vertically movable guide rails carried iby one of the pair of platens, as for example lthe lower platen. The guide rails for each of the several arms in either of .the two vertically spaced sets `of arms are substantially identical and are supported one above the other at predetermined vertical spacings so as to underlie their respective swinging arms and in turn support the latter at a desired elevation to permit insertion of the corresponding panel formand are arranged to receive and support their respective swinging arms as the latter swingtoward the platens and ride off the fixed guide rails. Thus each arm and die thereon are guided by guide rails integr-al with the lower platens bis directly to :the pressing position whereatA .the die, is interposed between a selected pair .of platens.. Thus guided support for the arm and die at .the proper elevation with respect to the platens vis. assured at all times. The platens with their vertically movable guide rails and the swinging arms supported thereby may be raised or low.- ered during a pressing operation 'without .disturbing the relationship therebetween.

Details of a preferred embodiment of the present invention are shown by way of example in the drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a fragmentary front elevation with portions broken away showing a `multiple platen press and feeding or loading means thereforconstructed in accordance with the present in..- vention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan View of the press and loader shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged plan View similar to Fig. showing the actuating mech?` anism for the left hand die supporting arms.

Fig, 4 is a fragmentary enlarged section taken in the direction of the arrows substantially along the line li-.fl of Fig. 2, showing the mounting for the multiple platens within the press.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged end View of one set of the die supporting arms, takenl in .the direction of the arrow 5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 isa fragmentary enlarged horizontal section showing the mounting for one of the die carrying arms, taken in the direction ofv the arrows substantially along the line 6 5 of Fig. 1.l

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section taken in the direction of the arrows substantially along the line 'iof Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged section taken substantially in the direction .of the arrows along the lines S-.S of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 9 is an isometric view of a panel adapted to be handled by the press and loading mechanism oi the present invention.

Before explaining the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since. the invention is capable of other embodiments .and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose .of description and not of limi? tation.

Referring to the drawings, a multiple platen press and panel loading means therefor con, structed in accordance with the present inven-` tion is shown wherein a lower jaw or pressure exerting member 2i) of a hydraulic press is sup.- ported on a seat or base 22, Fig. 1. Vertically movable within the base 22 is a hydraulic ram (not shown) suitably secured at its upper end to the under side of the jaw 2Q and hydraulically actuated to raise or lower the latter in accordance with the requirements of a compressing or bonding operation in the fabrication of a laminated panel, Fig, 9. A plurality of vertical gui-de rodsv 2d depend from a corresponding plurality of pads or bosses 26 provided by the jaw 29 on the underside thereof and are rigidly secured to the pads 26 by screw threaded means including the nuts 23. The lower end of each rod 24 extends downward into a vertical guide cyl'- inder 3S for guided movement therein in aocordance with operation of the jaw 26.

Directly over and spaced vertically from the analice 7 jaw 2U is a fixed head or pressure resisting upper jaw member 32 suitably supported by four upright corner pillars or stanchions 34 having upper' ends 36 of reduced diameter extending through holes provided therefor in four load supporting pads or bosses 58, Figs. l, 2 and 3, which project laterally from the head 32 essentially at the corners thereof. The base of each boss 33 rests on an underlying load supporting shoulder 40 provided at the base of the corresponding reduced pillar extension 36, whereby the weight of the head 32 is carried by the pillars 34. The upper portion of each reduced extension 36 projects above its corresponding boss 38 and is preferably screw threaded to receive a threaded capping clamp 42 which is screwed tightly against the upper portion of the said boss 38. An axially extending slot 44 extends the length of each clamp 42 along one side thereof and spaces a pair of essentially radially extending arms 46 integral with the clamp 42. The arms 46 of each clamp 42 are selectively drawn toward each other by a, clamping assembly including a bolt 48, Fig. 3, whereby each clamp 42 securely grips the adjacent extension 36 in a clamping action to resist the upward pressure exerted on each pad 33 and the head 32 by the jaw 23 during a cornpressing operation. Also the lower ends of the pillars 34 are securely anchored within the oor or ground to resist the upward pressure of the jaw 20.

The press mechanism illustrated is hydraulically actuated and powered from an electric motor driven hydraulic pumping unit or pressure generator G suitably connected within an electro-hydraulic control system, including a tank 52 and hydraulic line 54, with the aforementioned hydraulic cylinder for the jaw 26 and the hydraulic actuating cylinders for the loading mechanism described in more detail hereinafter. The pumping unit 53 is suitably supported on the tank 52 by supporting brackets 5S. The tank 52 in turn is suitably supported on the head 32 by brackets 58.

The pumping unit 53 is suitably connected hydraulically with the tank 52 by means not shown, so as to deliver pressurized hydraulic fluid as desired to the hydraulically actuated mechanism of the press and loading means. Although the hydraulic type press is preferred for its efciency and convenience in operation, it will be apparent from the following that the present invention is readily adaptable for use with other types of presses employing other pressure exerting means. Likewise, inasmuch as the present invention is not concerned with the specific electro-hydraulic control system employed and since the principle of various electrohydraulic control systems suitable for use with the present invention are well known to the art, details of such a system are not illustrated herein.

In the present instance, a tier of six vertically movable platens S vertically spaced one above the other are employed by the press and are differentiated from each other in Fig. 4 by the subscripts a through f. Above the uppermost movable platen a is a xed pressure resisting platen 62 suitably supported by the head 32 on the underside thereof. rIhe ve upper platens 6ta through 66e are reduced at their opposite end portions 64a through 64e respectively and are supported thereat by a pair of fixed laterally spaced and vertical platen supports or sidewalls 66 of the press. The supporting means for the platens 60 are the same at opposite ends of the press, so that a showing of only one support 66 is made in Fig. 4.

The supports 66 are disposed at opposite ends of the press and are provided with a plurality 0f shoulders 68a through 68e stepped inwardly with respect to the press from top to bottom to support the platen ends 64a through 64e respectively. The steps or shoulders 68 extend only partially the horizontal depth of the press from front to rear. Correspondingly, each of the reduced end portions 64b through 64e is provided with an end slot b through 10e respectively dimensioned so that the slots 'i0 of each platen 66 will permit passage of all the shoulders 63 above` its immediate supporting shoulders 68, but will. not permit passage of the latter. For example, the platen 60e by virtue of its end slots "ille will pass over each of the supporting steps or shoul ders 68a through 68d, but will be engaged andA supported by the lowermost steps 68e. In a like manner, the platen 60d will pass over the steps 68a through 63e, but will be engaged and supported by the steps 68d; the platen 60e will pass over the steps 38a and 68h but not the steps 58e; and the platen 68h will pass over the steps 63a, but not the steps 68h. No end slot is provided for the platen 33a, which is thus supported by the upper steps 68a. The lower platen 60j is suitably supported by the upper surface of thev lower press jaw 20.

Each platen 6i) has a plane upper surface adapted to support the plane base of a panel forming die 12, Fig. 4. The latter is adapted to support a panel 'I4 thereon of the type which the apparatus disclosed herein is adapted to handle and is mounted in a manner described in detailA hereinafter to permit its movement to a position overlying its respective platen 66 and also vertically with the platen during a bonding or compressing operation. The panel I4, Fig, 9, may comprise a number of superimposed layers, including by way of example a rigid foundation layer, a layer of padding or cushioning material overlying the foundation, and an exterior finish or trim layer overlying the padding. The assembled layers are consolidated or bonded together through the medium of a thermosettingI bonding resin particularly along a plurality ol' scribed, prior to the Abonding or pressing operation, the various layers of a complete panel are assembled in their proper superimposed relation with a suitable bonding resin applied in en incompletely reacted state between selected layers and are placed between a corresponding pair of platens 6U face down on the upper face of oneof each of the panel forming dies 72, i. e. with the exterior trim layer of the panel adjacent the upper die face.

tern of grooves l5 into the panel 'I4 when the latter is pressed against the die 'l2 ybetween the; heated platens 60` upon operation of. thel press;`

The latter is provided with aplurality of raised ribs or upset portions '16, Fig. 55 arranged to impress or emboss the desired pat-- It is apparent that `upon upward movement of the lower press jaw 20, :the lowermost platen 6W will be raised until Ythe upper layer of the inverted panel 14, in this case the rigid foundation, engages the plane under surface of the platen 551e. Thereupon the latter platen-is raised from its supporting shoulders 68e. Similarly, upon continued upward movement of the jaw 20, each platen Bild through "60a in turn is raised from its respective supporting shoulders 68d through 68a. Finally, as the panel T4 on the uppermost movable platen 50a. enga-ges the pressure resisting platen 62, each panel 14 will be compressed between its respective pattern forming die 12 and the plane under surface of the platen immediately above, .permitting a bonding operation to be performed on a number of panels T4 simultaneously between the multiple platens of the press.

In accordance with well known principles in fthe fabrication of such panels, the various platens 60 and 52 are maintained at a desired temperature and pressure to fuse and complete the reaction or polymerization of the thermosetting bonding resin. Thus the various panel layers are consolidated' and bonded together particularly along the lines of: optimum pressure exerted by the raised ribs or'upset-portionsv 16 of the dies 12, whereat the fused bonding resin is caused to permeate the padding and exterior panel layers andtoj bond the same permanently and securely to each other and to the foundation upon completion of the bonding reaction or setting of the bonding'resin. At the Sametime, the ornamental depressions or grooves T5' areimpressed or embossed into the panel' face Vin.accordanceV with the predetermined pattern ofthe ribs' 16.

An important feature of the present invention yis the loading mechanism for feeding unbonded panels i4 to the bonding positions between the platens and for removing the bonded or conso-lidated panels from the pressl after the bonding or compressing operation. Loading and unloading of the press is accomplished 'in the structure shown by means ofv four tiers or sets of six channel steel die carrying arms i? in each seit, Figs. 1', 2 and 5. The arms T1 of each tier or set are supported on one of each of four upright pivotal shaftsv 18 located adjacent one of each of the four corners of the press and are suitably mounted thereon for pivotal and axial movement atv vertically spaced elevations corresponding generally to the vertical spacing of the platens 6U. Each' shaft 'i8 is pivotal from a pressingv or bonding position at the limit of inward movement of the arms 'H toward the press, indicated by the solid line positions of the two right hand sets of arms 1l, Fig. 2, whereaty the arms il are parallel to the forward and rearward edges of the adjacent platen et; through an are of approximately 120 to a loading' position exterior to the press, indicated by the solid line positions di the two left hand sets of arms li, Fig. 2. Thus' the forward and' rearward sets of arms T'l at either the right or left end' ofv thev press are adapted to be operated alternately with the corresponding forward or rearward sets `of arms TT at the' opposite end of the press to permit rapid loading and-unloading of the` press after successive bondingr operations as described in detail hereinafter. Inasmuchas eachv tier of arms 'Il andthe mounti'ng therefor which permits'the pivotal and axial movement of the individual arms 'Il are the same', aV description of the operation and mounting of onearm 'Hoff one setor tier will suffice.

The pivotal shaft 18 at each corner of the press is suitably supported for pivotal movement about its longitudinal axis by upper and lower bosses and 82 respectively projecting laterally from the adjacent corner pillar 34, Fig. 1. Referring particularly to Figs. 6v and 7, each shaft 18 is generally cylindrical with four circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending flat portions 54 serving as runways for four pairs or sets of rollers 86 employed with each arm l1 toV facilitate vertical movement thereof. Also provided for each arm Tl is a generally tubular sleeve bushing 38 slidably mounted on the shaft 18 and providing two pairs of diametrically opposed recesses 90 having the rollers 86 supported therein in rolling engagement with the nats `81| along opposite sides of the shaft 18.

Each roller 86 kis rotatable on a horizontal journal pin 92 passing axially through the roller 86 andV having its ends securely embedded within pinholes 94 opening into the body of the bushing 88 from opposite sides of the slots or recesses Sil. Access to the pins 92 for their insertion into or removal from their respective pinholes S4 is permitted by a diametrically opposed pair of right angular V-notches or .grooves S6 extending axially within the external periphery of the bushing 88, whereby the pinholes 9d open substantially perpendicnlarly at the sides of the grooves 96. It is apparent from the mounting described that the engagement between the rollers 35 and the flats 34 key the bushing 88 to the shaft 78 for rotation therewith. However, the bushing 88 is' freely movable axially along the shaft l by reason of the rolling engagement between the rollers 86 andthe ats84.

A substantially annular flange 98 extends radially from the base of the bushing 88 and provides a support or seat-for a bracket casting, indicated generally bythe numeral lill), Fig. 8. The latterv comprises a cylindrical sleeve portion |02 which ts over the outer cylindrical surface of the bushing 88 and rests on the ange 98. A limited pivotal movement of the bracket i relative to the keyed shaft 18 and bushing 38 is permitted by a downward opening circumferentially extending movement limiting slot lll within the lower edge of the bearing portion |2. Extending upward from an opening or break in the flange 98 is a movement limiting lug |06 which is secured at its base within said opening to the body of the sleeve 38 by a `countersunk screw lil, Fig. '7. The upper portion of the lug I ESG rides within the slot l 04, Fig. 6, so as to limit the relative pivotal movement between the bracket l0!! and bushing 18 within a desired range of approximately 30 as indicated between the solid and phantom line positions shown in Fig. 6. When the shaft 78 is at the aforementioned loading and unloading position, this range is indicated between the solid and phantom line positions shown for the left hand arms ll of Fig. 2, whereby loading and unloading of the panels hi are facilitated as described hereinafter.

Also integral with each bracket ltd and extending from the cylindrical sleeve portion lll?. are a pairof diverging arms H2 which extend to the adjacent inward or hub end of the corresponding arm 'Vi and are secured thereat, as by welding. Each bracket |00 is prevented from axial upwardV movement relative to its sleeve bushing 88 by a generally annular capping washer I I4 fitting around the shaft 'lil so as to overlie the adjacent upper surfaces of thesle'eve M52 andl bushing 8B and being secured tothe latter by a plurality of screws IIB. Also supportedby each die carrying arm 11 and suitably secured to the upper surface thereof, as by welding, is one of the aforementioned pattern forming dies 12, Figs. 5, '7 and 8.

It is apparent from the foregoing that each swinging die supporting arm 11 is keyed with its shaft 18 for pivoting therewith and is axially movable along the shaft 18 to permit vertical adjustment of the height of the die 12. Accordingly, each of the six dies 12 in each tier may be positioned to overlie its corresponding platen t, so that upon suitably pivoting any one of the four shafts 18, the six arms 11 keyed therewith will be pivoted as a unit toward the press to interpose a die 12 between each pair of adjacent platens.

In the above connection, it is to be observed that each die 12 is welded along one edge to its l respective arm 11, Figs. 2 and 5, with the body of the die 12 projecting from the arm 11 in such a manner as to be inserted at a pressing position between the platens when the arm 11 is swung into parallelism with the front and rear edges of the platens 60, as shown by the two right hand sets of arms 11, Fig. 2. In such positions, the innermost side of each arm 11 abuts the edge'of the adjacent platen 60 and serves as a positioning stop to locate the die 12 properly between the platens for the bonding or pression opera- 2 tion. Also as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, a blank portion of each die 12 near the hub of the pivot movement is recessed at ||8 toA t around the pillar 34 when the arm 11 swings toward the press.

In order to permit proper vertical spacing of the arms 11 so that the dies 12 supported thereon will overlie their respective platens 60, suitable supporting and guide means are provided which in the present instance comprise a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal roller type guide tracks arranged in substantially four identical systems, one system adapted tc support the inner and outer ends of the arms 11 of each set.

As may be observed particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and 5 the outer ends of the six arms 11 of each set are supported by a tier or set of six roller type tracks extending concentrically about the pivot axis of the corresponding shaft 18 sufficiently to support the arms 11 as they swing toward the press l from the outer loading position through a substantial arc of not less than that permitted by the free play of the movement limiting slots |54. Movement of each arm 11 along its track IZE is facilitated by a plurality of radially extending rollers |22 journaled on each track |25 and adapted to engage a shoe or rider |24 secured to the under side of the distal end of each arm '51 for riding along the rollers |22. Each track IEE is supported by a pair of horizontal brackets I'Zi which extend from a corresponding pair of upright standards |28, Figs. 2 and 5, and which in turn are supported by footingsY securely anchored to the flooring by a plurality of bolts |32.

Supported by each platen 60 and projecting horizontally from each of the forward and rearward edges thereof are central supporting tracks |34 similar to the tracks |20 and arranged in forward and rearward extending tiers, Figs. i and 2. The tracks |34 are provided with' a plurality of rollers |36 on whichthe shoes |24 ride after leaving their respective'tracks |25 upon continued swinging of the arms 11 toward the press. Obviously the supporting tracks |25 and |34 for each arm 11 are Ain substantially the same plane, determined with respect to the upper surface of the associated platen 6|! so that as the arm 11 is swung toward the press from the loading position, the supported die 12 will immediately overlie the proper platen 65. By virtue of the central location of the outward extending tracks |34, the forward tier of tracks |34 will receive and support the forward tiers of swinging arms 11 at either the right or left end of the press. Similarly the rearward tier of tracks |34 will receive and support the rearward tiers of swinging arms 11 at either the right or left ends of the press.

The hub or inward ends of the arms 11 of each tier are supported by a set of horizontal arcuate roller carrying tracks |38 concentric about the associated shaft 18 and supported in turn by an upright stand mounted on Va footing |52 which is secured to the ooring by a plurality of bolts |44, Fig. 1. Each track |38 is provided with a plurality of transverse rollers |46 on which ride a proximal shoe |50 secured to the under side of the hub end of the supported arm 11 similarly to the shoe |24. The supporting tracks |33 for the hub ends of the arms 11 extend arcuately toward the press to support the arms 11 through substantially the same arc of movement for which the outer tracks |20 are provided.

Similarly to the mounting of the centrally disposed tracks !34, a roller type supporting track |52 is secured to each corner of each platen 60, completing a tier of six vertically spaced tracks |52 at each corner of the press to receive the hub ends of the arms 11 from the corresponding adjacent tracks |38 and to guide the supported dies 12 onto their respective patens 60. Each track |52 is provided with transverse rollers |54 on which rides a central shoe |55 secured to the under side of the central portion of the respective arm 11.

As indicated in Fig. 2, the four sets of tracks |52 extend arcuately forward and rearward respectively from the forward and rearward corner edges of the platens 6|! and also extend L laterally to terminations which are just short of the adiacent edges of the dies 12 when the latter are at the aforesaid inward limit of movement permitted by the slots |04 when the shafts 18 are at the loading positions. Thus when the die supporting arms 11 at one end of the press are at the bonding or pressing position with their supported dies 12 between the platens 60 and the latter are raised by the -iaw 20 during a pressing operation, the outer extremities of the tracks 52 will not catch on the sets of die plates 12 being unloaded or loaded as described below at the other end of the press.

Although it will be readily apparent that other power means may be suitablv employed to actuate the swinging arms 11, hydraulic power means are preferred in the embodiment shown, particularlv because of the ease and convenience with which it may be controlled and its availability from the same pressure generating source 5B employed to actuate the hydraulic press. Referring particularly to Fig. 3, the upper end of each shaft 18 is keyed to a driving gear |58 which in turn meshes with an idler gear I6!! suitably journaled on a vertical spindle |52 supported by the end wall of the press. Each pair of idler gears i8!! meshing with their respective driving gears |58 at each end of the press are engaged by a double toothed gear rack |64 having parallel forward and rearward sets of teeth 66 meshed respectively with the adjacent teeth of the forward and rearwardidler Agears |60. The gea-r rack its at each end of the press Arides within-a guide frame |68andis suitably connected with a plunger arm lll)y .of a hydraulic cylinder |12 for reciprocating actuation. Thefcylinders |12 are, powered from the pump U and are operatively connected within a suitable hydraulic control circuit, notv shown, so as to be under the selective control of the operator.

It is apparent that upon endwise extension of either plunger |10, the gear rack |64 connected therewith is moved endwise away from the press, thereby swinging the arms 11 away from ythe platens by virtue of the above described gear chain. Upon inward endwise .movement of the rack E54, the direction of movement of the swinging arms I1 is reversed and the latter swung inwardtoward Vthe press to interpose the supported die plates l2 `between the platens 60.

In completing a cycle of operation of the present invention, assuming that the ylower jaw of the press is at its lower rest position on .the seat. 22 and that all four tiers or sets of thearms 'il are at the loading positions .at substantially the outer limits of their swinging movement away from the press, i. e., with the plunger arms il@ extended at opposite ends of .the press, the operator may load the laminated but unbonded panel material onto the uppermost dies .12 carried by the two Auppermost arms 71 at one end of the press, for example the left end, Fig. '2.

In the present instance, each platen 6! is adapted in size with respect to the panels 'I4 to accommodate four of the latter arranged side by side in a rectangular pattern, one panel 'M covering. substantially one of each of the four quadrants of the platen area. Accordingly, each die plate Z2 is adapted in size to accommodate two panels I4 end to end simultaneously, the two dies 12 at the same level at each end of the press cooperating to utilize the .full area of one of each of the platens 6|). The laminated material for two panels M are placed on each die l2 with the exterior finish or trim layer of the panel 'it face downward.

In Fig. 2, a panel 'M to be bonded is shown in position covering the outer or distal portion of the die '32. The inner or proximal portion of the die plate 'i2 is uncovered to receive a set of laminations for another unbonded panel 14 which will lie end to end adjacent the panel '|4 shown in position. Upon loading the laminated material for two panels M face downward on each of the two upper dies i2 at one end of the press, the supporting arms Ti for these upper dies TF2 are manually swung by the operator toward the press to the limit of movement permitted by the lost motion slots HM, i. e., to the phantom position of the left hand arm 7H', Fig. 2. The dies 'l2 second from the top are thusI exposed to facilitate their loading, whereupon the second arms Ti' from the top are moved forwardly to the phantom position exposing the third pair of dies 'l2 from the top. The loading of both tiers of dies T2 at the left end of the press thus continues progressively downward until twenty-four panels 'M are loaded on the twelve dies l2. Thereafter the hydraulic system is actu-ated to withdraw the plunger Hd at. the `.left end of the press and the two shaftsA 1.8 at theleft end of the press are rotated in the di'rection`to the arms 'il toward the platens Si).

After the shafts 'i8 turn through the ypredetered are of approximately the riders le@ he ed to the sleeves 8.3, which in turn are keyed 14 by the .rollers 8B to theshafts 18,'.nally'abut the ends of the slots |04 and cause the respective arms I|2 and connected die supporting arms TI to swing toward the platens Eil). The arms TI glide freely on their shoes |24 and 5U along the xed roller tracks |26 and |33 respectively and are supported thereby at the proper elevations to permit their transfer readily to the continuing roller tracks ist and |52 carried by the platens Si).

As the two tiers of arms 'il at the left end of the Ypress continue their swinging movement toward the platens to, the supported dies 'l2 are interposed'between their respective platens at the bonding position, whereat the forward and rearward edges of the platens 5s serve as movement limiting or locating stops to assure proper positioning of the dies 'l2 between the platens 60. Likewise, at this position, suitable movement limiting means not shown are actuated to stop the movement of the plunger-s I'l.

With the dies 'i2 and unmolded panels 'iii thereon properly positioned or interposed between the platens of the press, the latter is hydraulically actuated to raise the jaw 23, whereupon each panel is compressed between its underlying die i2 and the under surface of the platen immediately above. Upward movement of the dies l2 and their supporting arms l? upon upward movement of the platens B during a compressing operation is readily permitted by virtue of the rollers ist journaied within eaoh sleeve bushing S8 so to roll along the flats Bf; of the shafts 18.

Upon completion of the bonding operation, the press jaw Zii is lowered, permitting the platens I e il to settle on. their respective seats 55, whereupon the hydraulicI system is actuated to extend theleft hand. plunger H0 and to withdraw the two l'etA handtiers of arms ll actuated thereby together 'with Yathe` corresponding dies l2 and bonded moiied'pa-nels M, from the press. Movement' limiting :means not shown are preferably included. within the hydraulic system for autsnsatically stopping the endwise outward movement of the plunger Vid when the swinging arms Vactuated thereby are returned substantially `to the position at which the driving lugs |06 initially engaged :the rend` walls of their respective lost motion slots Hifi at the commencement of the cycle, phantom view of the left han-d arms ll', Fig. 2.

'Tha

molded panels 'It may be unloaded successively from the bottom up by manually pulling the lowermost. arms l? from the phantom position, Fig. 2,. to the ylimit of outward movement 'tted by lost motion slot Hifi, solid view, expos-ing sa-i'd lowermost panels l!! and `parmitting their removal from their dies '52. The second and succeeding arms 'il rom'the bottom are similarly swuneFr outward in turn to the outer nit of. movement permitted by the lost motion e .te maand-unloaded, v

-Inthe meantime, during Vthe compressing operati-on on the panels carried by the arms li at the left endI or" the press, the arms l at the right end of the press are loaded substantially the manner employed to load the left hand arms. According-ly -whil-e theleit hand arms il are being unloaded, the. hydraulic mechanism at the rig-ht end-of the pressisactuated to swing two right hand sets of arms 'il toward the press and between the platens substantially as kdescribed in connection with theleft hand arms It is accordingly apparent that the press may be maintained continuously operative by alternately feed'- ing; from rst one-,.end: of the press and then the other. While the arms at one end of the press are between the platens in a pressing operation, the arms El at the other end of the press are being unloaded and reloaded for the succeeding pressing operation.

It is to be noted from the sequence of operation described that the hydraulically actuated plungers Il!) are used only while the lower jaw 2B is not under pressure. Thus the hydraulic cylinders H2 may be powered from the same hydraulic pressure source employed to actuate thepress jaw 2G Without in any way interfering with the efficiency of the pressing operation and without the requirement of a pumping system 59 ol greater capacity than normally required for operation of the press alone. Accordingly the single pumping system 5t serves a dual purpose and is efciently utilized substantially at all times.

It is to be noted further that by virtue o the pivotal mounting of the arms l1 at the corners of the press, as shown, the loading and unloading of the dies l2 are permitted without exposing the VYpress operator to the direct heat of the platen 6E.

One or more operators will normally stand at the ends of the press beyond the limits of swinging movement of the arms Il whereat they may work in comparative comfort, being shielded from the principal heat of the platens by the end walls of the press.

I claim:

1. In a press, a pair of relatively movable pressing members normally spaced apart, a pair of swinging die supporting arms, and means pivotally supporting said arms at opposite sides of the press for swinging horizontally and alternately from positions outside the press to positions between said pressing members.

2. In a press having relatively movable vertically spaced pressing members, a swinging arm pivotally mounted at one side of the press to swing horizontally into position between the pressing members and movable vertically within the press upon vertical movement of a pressing member.

3. In a hydraulically actuated press having relatively movable pressing members, a pair of swinging die supporting arms adapted to be employed alternately with the pressing members and pivotally mounted for swinging to and from a pressing position between said pressing members, hydraulically actuated means for selectively swinging said arms to and from said pressing position between pressing operations, and a single hydraulic pressure generator for both said press and said hydraulically actuated means.

4. In a hydraulic press having relatively movable pressing members and a hydraulic pressure generator in an operative hydraulic system for actuating said pressing members, a pair of swinging. supports adapted to be employed with the pressing members alternately with each other and p-ivotally mounted for movement to and from a pressing position between said pressing members, and means operatively connected with said supports for selectively swinging the same to and from said pressing position including hydraulically actuated means in an operative hydraulic system connected with said rst named system for actuation by said pressure generator.

5. In a press having relatively movable pressing members, a pair of swinging arms mounted for swinging alternately to and from a pressing position adjacent said pressing members, and a die member supported on each arm for movement therewith, each die member having a portion projecting from the arm to receive material to be fabricated in the press and to swing said material between said pressing members upon swinging movement of the associated supporting arm to the pressing position.

6,'In a press having a pair of platens movable relatively to each other in a vertical direction, a. pair of swinging arms mounted for swinging to and from a pressing position about a corresponding pair of vertical axes spaced to permit alternate use of the arms in successive pressing operation, the arms being also axially movable along their axes of swinging, and a die member supported on each arm for movement therewith, each die member having a portion projecting from the arm to support material to be fabricated by the press and to swing the material between said platens upon swinging movement of the associated supporting arm to the pressing position.

7. In a press, a tier of press members mounted for vertical movement relative to each other, a corresponding tier of vertically spaced swinging die carrying arms, means pivotally supporting said arms at one side of the press for swinging about a common vertical axis from loading positions outside the press to operative positions between said press members.

8. In a press having a pair of platens movable relatively to each other in a vertical direction, a. pair of swinging arms mounted for swinging to and from a pressing position about a corresponding pair of spaced vertical axes and movable axially at the pressing position, a die member mounted on each arm for movement therewith, each die member having a portion projecting from the arm to support material to be fabricated by the press and to swing with the material loaded thereon between said platens upon swinging movement of the associated supporting arm to the pressing position, and guide track means for guiding said arms to the pressing position including guide track portions projecting from one of said platens and movable therewith.

9. In a press having a plurality of normally spaced platens relatively movable toward and away from each other during a pressing cycle, two sets of platen feeding members mounted for swinging movement to and from a pressing position and also for movement with said platens during a pressing operation, the axes of swinging movement of said two sets of members being spaced to permit alternate use of each set in successive pressing operations, each member being adapted to support material to be fabricated by the press and the members of each set being spaced in accordance with the spacing of said platens for insertion therebetween at the pressing position.

10. In a press, a tier of normally spaced press members mounted for vertical movement relative to each other, a corresponding tier of spaced swinging die carrying arms, means supporting said arms at one side of the press for swinging about a common vertical axis from loading positions outside the press to operative positions between said press members and for moving vertically at said operative positions.

11. In a press', a tier of normally spaced press members mounted for vertical movement relative to each other, two tiers of vertically spaced swinging die carrying arms, means supporting the arms of each tier for swinging about one of each of two spaced vertical axes to and from operative positions between said press members and for 12. In a press having a plurality of spaced platens superimposed one above another in a tier and relatively movable toward and away from each other during a pressing cycle, two sets of platen feeding members mounted for horizontal swinging movement toward and away from said platens and also for vertical movement with said platens during a pressing operation, the axes of swinging movement of said two sets of members being spaced to permit alternate use of each set in successive pressing operations, and a forming die mounted on each member for movement therewith and adapted to receive and support material to be fabricated by the press, the members of each set being spaced in accordance with the spacing of said platens so as to interpose the dies and the material loaded thereon between adjacent pairs of platens and to withdrawthe dies and material from the platens by swinging movement to permit unloading and reloading of the dies between pressing operations.

13. In a press having relatively vertically movable pressing members, a plurality of vertically spaced swinging arms, means supporting the arms at one side of the pressfor swinging horizontally to a position between the pressing members and for moving vertically by engagement with the latter.

14. In a press having a plurality of spaced platens superimposed one above another in a tier and relatively movable toward and away from each other during a pressing cycle, two sets of platen feeding members mounted for horizontal swinging movement toward and away from said platens and also for vertical movement with said platens during a pressing operation, the axes of swinging movement of said two sets of members being spaced to permit alternate use of each set in successive pressing operations, a forming die mounted on each member for movement therewith and adapted to receive and support material to be fabricated by the press, the members of each set being spaced in accordance with the spacing of said platens so as to interpose the dies and the material loaded thereon at pressing positions between adjacent pairs of platens and to withdraw the dies and material from the platens by swinging movement, and guide track means for guiding said members to the pressing positions upon swinging movement of said members toward said platens, said guide track means including guide track portions proj ecting from selected platens for movement therewith during a pressing operation.

15. In a press, a tier of press members mounted for vertical movement relative to each other, two tiers of vertically spaced swinging die carrying arms, means Vpivotally supporting the arms of each tier for swinging about one of each of two spaced vertical axes to and from pressing positions between said press members, and means for selectively swinging the arms of either tier in unison.

16. In a press having a plurality of normally 18 spaced platens relatively movable toward and away from each other during a pressing cycle, two sets of platen feeding members mounted forv swinging movement to and from said platens, the axes of 'swinging movement of said two sets of members being spaced to permit alternateuse thereof in successive pressing operations, and a forming die mounted on each member for movement therewith and having a portion projecting from the member to support material loaded thereon to be pressed, the members of each set being spaced in accordance with the spacing of said platens for swinging the projecting die portions ancl the material loaded thereon to pressing positions between adjacent pairs of platens, said members comprising movement limiting stops for accurately locating said projecting die portions at the pressing positions.

17. In a press having a plurality of normally spaced platens relatively movable toward and away from each other during a pressing cycle, two sets of platen feeding members mounted for swinging movement toward and away from said platens, the axes of swinging movement of said two sets of members being spaced to permit alternate use of each set in successive pressing operation, each member being adapted to support material to be fabricated by the press and the members of each set being spaced in accordance with the spacing of said platens for swinging the material to pressing positions between adjacent pairs of platens and to withdraw the material `from the platens, means for swinging said members in unison to and from said pressing positions, each member being also swingable independently of the others to facilitate loading and unloading thereof.

18. In a press having a plurality of normally spaced platens relatively movable toward and away from each other during a pressing cycle, two sets of platen feeding members mounted for swinging movement toward and away from said platens about spaced axes for alternate use in successive pressing operations, each member being adapted to support material to be fabricated by the press and the members of each set being spaced in accordance with the spacing of said platens for swinging the material to and from pressing positions between adjacent pairs of platens, operating means for swinging either set of said members as a unit to and from said pressing positions., and los't motion means'connecting said operating means with said members to allow limited swinging of each member independently of the others exteriorly of the platens to facilitate loading and unloading of the members.

FRED LYIJYNEN.

REFEREES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Wilkes Sept. 16, 1902 Number 

